How sweet it is!

I’ve never been a part of a game that felt any better than this. The way we came back, the way we just refused to go down, it was just amazing to be in the middle of something like that.

I can’t tell you how good I feel for Vladimir Guerrero. This has been a very rough season for him, with all the injuries he’s had to overcome. To see him deliver like he did, driving that game-winning hit against Jonathan Papelbon, was unbelievable.

This guy Vladdy is a Hall of Famer in my book. He’s an all-time great hitter, and a great teammate. I think that’s one of the reasons why everyone was so thrilled to see him get that big, big hit. Because he’s been so great for so long, and people were starting to doubt him. Who’s doubting Vladdy now? Who’s saying he can’t hit a good fastball?

There were so many big moments. Erick Aybar got it started with his two-out hit, then Chone Figgins worked a huge walk against Papelbon. Bobby Abreu comes up, and he’s a guy you want hitting in that situation, cool as can be. He drives one off the monster, and now we’re only one run down.

I was ready to hit, looking forward to it, but they walked me intentionally. Was I surprised? I can’t really say. Their manager, Terry Francona, knows what he’s doing. He’s a smart guy.

So is my man, Mike Scioscia – manager of the year! No doubt.

I’m happy they did walk me now, because of the way it turned out, but I really wanted to hit in that situation. It’s what you live for as an athlete, and that’s why we’re all so happy for Vlad.

The big man came through in a big way. Hits don’t get any bigger than that one. He’s not a guy who shows much emotion, but he was smiling over there at first base like you rarely see him. I was pointing over to him from second base, and I could just feel his joy. It was one of those magical moments.

This team has so much character, I can’t say enough about the heart of these guys. We have been playing for Nick Adenhart all season, and I know he’s proud of us now. Nick loved the game, everything about it, and this was as good as it gets, beating the Red Sox in Boston. I’ve got a lot of respect for that team over there, how good those guys are. That’s what makes this so gratifying.

No more talk about curses!

We beat the Red Sox in their house!

As for Nick, I like what our hitting coach, Mickey Hatcher, said. If Nick’s up there writing the script, it’s a masterpiece.

We’re going to celebrate this, but we know we’ve still got work to do. We don’t want this to end.

The Twins, my old team, are still alive. I’m not going to lie. I’m pulling for those guys against the Yankees. Hey, I raised some of those guys on the Twins team. How could I not be pulling for them?

Whoever we play, we’re going to be ready. We’ve got everything we need on this team, young guys with energy, smart veterans, pitching, hitting, defense, speed. And athletes. Man, we’ve got some athletes. We just have to go out and keep doing what we do.

We got the first three wins. Now we need four more to get to where we want to be, the Fall Classic.

Enjoy the ride, everybody. I guarantee you we are. I just need to find some goggles that keep the champagne out of my eyes.

31 Comments

Congratulations on a hard fought victory!

This post is a perfect example of why you, Torii Hunter, have, in just a year, become a beloved member of the Angels’ organization. You are generous in your praise of your teammates, while avoiding criticism or complaining. It’s inspiring and I wish more players were like that.

It’s great to see how healthy you guys are this year. And your comments about Nick…well, I know he’s celebrating today too.

I can’t wait to see you all in the ALCS. I haven’t gotten tickets yet, but I’m working on it!

Hey there, Torii! That was another great game, and by far the most nerve-wracking of the three. Thanks for such an amazing win. The team just seemed to come together today and never give up, even when we were down by four. Going into the ninth I?ll admit that I was worried, especially since Boston?s closer hadn?t ever given up a postseason run. But you guys showed them what you could do, scoring three runs and coming back for the win today. You?re right – it seems that the curse is done. The Angels are a great team all around and it was about time to show Boston what we can do! Good luck in the upcoming ALCS! (Now isn?t that a great thing to be able to say?).

I had told a co-worker that we would sweep 3 straight and, even though he is an avid Angels fan as well, he didn’t quite believe it! Can’t wait to celebrate the victory with him when I see him on Tuesday!

I especially was happy for Vlad Guerrero! A lot of fans have been bagging on him and before he got injured this year I though we’d see a real flash of the “old” Vladdy, but it is hard to stay consistent with what happened to him.

However he came through just like I knew he would! You gotta have faith and loyalty to your team, the players, the manager and coaching staff, and to the owner of the club! Vlad is my hero and he is Superman always in my book!

Great job Torii! Great job Angels! Leave it all out in the field and there will never be a regret!

Torii,
Amen man. You couldnt have said everything better. That was one of the greatest games i have ever watched. Keep doing what you guys are doing and congratulations on the big win. look forward to being at the three home games of the ALCS.
-Adrian Jara
reddiamond.mlblogs.com

I’ve been a BoSox and AL fan my whole life. Deep down, I saw this series, and the outcome coming. Congratulations! The Red Sox didn’t lose. The Angels won. Plain and simple. It was not Wagner’s or Papelbon’s pitching that did my team in. It was Angels’ clutch hitting.

I’m sure you’ll agree that, although Vlad was MVP, given the situation and THE HIT, your entire team beat the BoSox….soundly, too!

Of course you wanted to hit. BUT, the intentional walk represents every at-bat of your career. Think of it…as masterful and as “Hall-of-Fame” as Vlad is, Francona says, “he’s just not his old self and, besides, I don’t want to get beat by Hunter.”

OK, I’ve made my point….I’m upset that my guys didn’t finish strong. They actually started to get beat in this series back in August. That’s when they seemed to lose their tenacity. You guys had it all season.

I hate to tell you this, but the easy part is over. If you thought it was digging deep to beat Boston at Fenway, you’ve got to go deeper to get to the Yanks. I’m pulling for you!

I have underestimated the ability of Torii Hunter for years. This postseason, he showed that he is a great team leader and an all-around excellent player. Congrats, Torii, and congrats to all the Angels fans out there!

Congratulations, Torii! And thanks for the shout out to the Twins. Twins fans still LOVE you and even last night I saw lots of Hunter jerseys at the Dome. The Twins are pretty banged up and our ranks are depleted due to injuries, but our guys kept fighting and that was especially true of the players you mentored. Now that the Twins season is over, Twins fans will be rooting for the Angels. Beat the Yankees, and remember that Twins fans will always love Torii Hunter.

Truly a game and a series for the ages!!!! We have a stellar team, incredible depth, and a track record against NY to show that we have what it takes to beat the NY squad, even as talented and deep as they are. I am estatic after our dominant performance in the DS and cannot wait for the CS to start. GO ANGELS!!!!!

CONGRATULATIONS!! CONGRATULATIONS!! What an amazing game. How fabulous for VLAD…..that games was so GREAT!!! I thought I lost my mind when they walked you Torii and decided to pitch to VLAD!! He really came through. You are so right he is Vlad. It was soooooooooooooo sweet. BEAT THE YANKEES, I’m lovin this ride, I don’t want it to end. My prayers are with all of the Angels. Don’t ever let your defenses down. Go in with focus and play hard. Those Yankees are sneaky. But the Angels have the FIRE!!! GOOD LUCK.

Congratulations, Torii, Angels, and Angels fans. As a Red Sox fan, I’ve gotta admit, waking up this morning was tough. But you guys deserved it. And I will fully be rooting for you in the ALCS and beyond. I have you down as going all the way. I am very impressed at your level of play, and I will say that as well as the Sox did this season, there was a point where it felt like we just weren’t going to make it. So though other Red Sox fans may hate me forever, I am almost glad you guys beat us because I think you have a really good chance of beating the Yankees. You’ve got the talent and the drive and spirit. You’ll win it, for Nick if nothing else. But also for yourselves. You deserve it. Now I will lock myself up and watch the 2004 ALCS and WS games until Friday. Best of luck!!

Your enthusiasm is a magnet for this team. As fans, we love watching you and the rest of the Angels play their hearts out. We are so proud to be your fans!!!!! Beating the Red Sox at Fenway for the sweep was sweet!! We all know it doesn’t necessarily take a couple big sluggers on a team to win. The way the Angels have played all year is an indication that with a well-rounded team, young and old, with the heart of gold, will set out to play and win.

Keep up the enthusiasm! You are a great person!! The Angels are a great team!! Mike S. should be Manager of the Year!!

Hello No.48,
I still remember you had the “Rally Monkey speech” when you signed with the Halos. You said you will bring the Rally Monkey to the mall, but now the Rally Monkey brings you to the fall!!! What a comeback win for the Halos.
To see the Halos coming back on Wagner and Pappelbon is even better. And of course now Vladdy also came back to give us a big hit. The Rally Monkey Power is all over the place now.
Can’t wait until Friday for the ALCS to start. Looking forward to see the Angels continue to play some aggressive baseball and powerful pitching. Let’s keep that momentum all the way to November!!!
Let’s GO HALOS!!!

Torii and the other Angels players,
Thanks for such an awesome series. I was at Friday’s game and it was amazing. I was so nervous I couldn’t eat. I just want this for the team so badly.

I can’t wait for the series against the yankees. We know you can do this and we’re all behind you yelling and screaming. I’ll be at game 4 and I can’t wait. It would be awesome for it to be another sweep.

Get some rest so you and the other guys will be ready for Friday – we’re here making noise just remember that.

Hey Torri — I have lived in NYC for 15 yers now, but was born & raised in O.C., and we were Angels season ticket holders growing up. My brother was even a bat boy for the Angels in the visiting clubhouse. It’s tough to be an Angels fan in NYC, but it sure makes it easier that we’re the “winningest” team against them. Yankee fans hear “Angels” and that cocky, over-the-top confidence gets dialed down a notch or two. It is just SO SWEET that you guys crushed Boston and will now face the Yanks. I will be at as many games in Yankee Stadium as I can, bravely wearing red (monkey in tow) and rooting for you guys. And man, if there’s a freeway series — forget it! I’m coming back to SoCal & going to as many games as I can. Praying for you guys and wishing you massive success in this next series. Be safe, play hard and tell those Yanks WHAT TIME IT IS! xoxoxo from NYC, Lisa

Hey Torii — I have lived in NYC for 15 yers now, but was born & raised in O.C., and we were Angels season ticket holders growing up. My brother was even a bat boy for the Angels in the visiting clubhouse. It’s tough to be an Angels fan in NYC, but it sure makes it easier that we’re the “winningest” team against them. Yankee fans hear “Angels” and that cocky, over-the-top confidence gets dialed down a notch or two. It is just SO SWEET that you guys crushed Boston and will now face the Yanks. I will be at as many games in Yankee Stadium as I can, bravely wearing red (monkey in tow) and rooting for you guys. And man, if there’s a freeway series — forget it! I’m coming back to SoCal & going to as many games as I can. Praying for you guys and wishing you massive success in this next series. Be safe, play hard and tell those Yanks WHAT TIME IT IS! xoxoxo from NYC, Lisa

Hey Torii — I have lived in NYC for 15 years now, but was born & raised in O.C., and we were Angels season ticket holders growing up. My brother was even a bat boy for the Angels in the visiting clubhouse. It’s tough to be an Angels fan in NYC, but it sure makes it easier that we’re the “winningest” team against them. Yankee fans hear “Angels” and that cocky, over-the-top confidence gets dialed down a notch or two. It is just SO SWEET that you guys crushed Boston and will now face the Yanks. I will be at as many games in Yankee Stadium as I can, bravely wearing red (monkey in tow) and rooting for you guys. And man, if there’s a freeway series — forget it! I’m coming back to SoCal & going to as many games as I can. Praying for you guys and wishing you massive success in this next series. Be safe, play hard and tell those Yanks WHAT TIME IT IS! xoxoxo from NYC, Lisa

Hey Torii — I have lived in NYC for 15 years now, but was born & raised in O.C., and we were Angels season ticket holders growing up. My brother was even a bat boy for the Angels in the visiting clubhouse. It’s tough to be an Angels fan in NYC, but it sure makes it easier that we’re the “winningest” team against them. Yankee fans hear “Angels” and that cocky, over-the-top confidence gets dialed down a notch or two. It is just SO SWEET that you guys crushed Boston and will now face the Yanks. I will be at as many games in Yankee Stadium as I can, bravely wearing red (monkey in tow) and rooting for you guys. And man, if there’s a freeway series — forget it! I’m coming back to SoCal & going to as many games as I can. Praying for you guys and wishing you massive success in this next series. Be safe, play hard and tell those Yanks WHAT TIME IT IS! xoxoxo from NYC, Lisa

Torii!! I’ve had the pleasure of meeting you a few times and you are always just the sweetest most charismatic man ever! That’s why we all love you so much. Every single time I’ve complimented you on something you turn it around and talk about the team and your love for the game. Congratulations to all of you on the Red Sox sweep! My sister and I were there for the last regular season series @ Fenway and their fans were SUCH JERKS to us! You even told us to be careful leaving Fenway in our Angel gear. I think that’s why this sweep was that much sweeter for my sister and I. In your fax Red Sux fans!

I’ve heard you comment about how much you loved hearing the fans scream and cheer so loud during games 1 and 2. I want you to remember this and take it with you to NY. We’ll all still be cheering for you guys, decked out in our Angel gear and jumping for joy when you beat them in their own home yet again! I’m soo proud of you and wish you all the very best. Let’s get that ring Torii!!!!

saw this on Fangraphs.com and you probably have heard already but don’t want you guys to go into the Yanks series without all the info you can get.

“2. Watching Scott Kazmir in the third inning of the Angels-Red Sox game on Sunday was an eye opener. I can see why he’s struggled at times this year. With runners on second base – first Jacoby Ellsbury and then Dustin Pedroia – Kazmir’s grips on the ball were clearly visible in his glove; I was able to call every pitch without having to try and decipher the catcher’s signal. Not surprisingly, both Pedroia and Victor Martinez swung like they knew exactly what type of pitch was coming.”

Torii Congratulations on a beautiful victory! I cannot say how proud I am of you and this Angels team. In that 9th inning I was saying “come on guys you can’t give them any momentum!” The Aybar came through and it was like a fire was lit and everyone on that team contributed to that win! Amazing! I just want to say you guys play the Yanks in the ALCS and you guys can absolutely beat them. Are the Yanks a great team, of course, but you guys are too! Everyone is playing for a ring, but you guys are playing for much, much more then that, you guys are playing for your fallen teammate Nick Adenhart. That is what makes you guys so dangerous, and I really respect the way you guys are going out there everyday and playing for him. I feel like everyone on that team is apart of my family. Good luck, and go get ‘em!

It was a great day for the Angels when you came to us. All year I’ve loved watching the amazing catches you make, leaping up over the wall! And where would we be without your bat?

In addition to being a great player, you are a smart guy and a great leader in the clubhouse. I hope you will be an Angel for many years to come! Some day we will retire your number on the wall over the bleachers.

We’re looking forward to winning the Pennant and going on to the World Series!

Y.A.N.K.E.E.S.
Here come the YANKEES
Let’s get behind and cheer the YANKEES
They’re gonna learn to fear the YANKEES
Everyone knows they play to win, cause

They’re the New York YANKEES
Show them today why you’re the YANKEES
No other way when you’re the YANKEES
Wadda ya say we win a brand, new, ballgame

We’re gonna shout when ya powder the ball
We’re gonna scream, “put it over the wall”
The other teams gonna know what it means to play the Y.A.N.K.E.E.S
We love the Yankees
Shout it out loud , We Love The YANKEES
We’re really proud of our YANKEES
And we’re gonna win today
2, 3, 4, Hit, Run, Fight, Score, Go! Go! Go!

We’re gonna shout when ya powder the ball
We’re gonna scream “put it over the wall yo”
The other teams gonna know what it means to play the Y.A.N.K.E.E.S
We love the Yankees
Shout it out loud, We Love The YANKEES
We’re really proud of our YANKEES
And we’re gonna win today

Hey Torii!! Man, what a win that was. I don’t think I will ever forget leaving my church parking lot and turning the game on to hear about Vlad’s hit. That was awesome. I was screaming in the car and tears – TEARS! – welled up in my eyes. Praise God! We love you guys and don’t forget that when you are playing over in NY with all those darn yankee fans. Go ANGELS!

Hey Torii. Huge fan of yours. Too bad your locked into that 5-year deal with the Angels. I know the Yankees couldda cut you a bigger check. If there’s any way you can get out of your contract, make it happen and come over to a real winner. The Bronx Bombers, Murderer’s Row, the most successful franchise in sports history, the New York Yankees, WS champions 2009 baby

Meta

The following are trademarks or service marks of Major League Baseball entities and may be used only with permission of Major League Baseball Properties, Inc. or the relevant Major League Baseball entity: Major League, Major League Baseball, MLB, the silhouetted batter logo, World Series, National League, American League, Division Series, League Championship Series, All-Star Game, and the names, nicknames, logos, uniform designs, color combinations, and slogans designating the Major League Baseball clubs and entities, and their respective mascots, events and exhibitions.